Halo’s 20GB day-one patch reduced to a still huge 15GB download

Last month developer 343 Industries issued an apology relating to Halo: Master Chief Collection, which is due for release on November 11 for the Xbox One. The apology was warranted because anyone choosing to purchase the game was also committing to a 20GB day one content update.

The massive patch is required because the game content takes up 65GB of space and an Xbox One Blu-ray game disc is only capable of storing 45GB. A second disc would make sense then, but not as far as 343 Industries is concerned because it would break the unified product and seamless experience. A 20GB day-one download solves that problem, but causes a new one for anyone on a data capped or slow Internet connection.

The good news is that 343 has managed to shave 5GB off the size of the download. That still means it’s big at 15GB, but the reduction could shave an hour or two off the download time depending on your connection speed.

If you have pre-ordered a digital version of the game then the 60GB download can be started now (just enable auto-download on your console). If instead you are picking up the physical version, the pain of the 15GB update can be offset by playing through the single-player campaign while it streams on to your hard drive.

Microsoft will be keen for the Master Chief Collection launch to run smoothly. Halo is a system seller after all, and we’re entering the most important period of the year for console sales with the Xbox One having a lot of catching up to do with regards to its main competitor.